How should I handle this?

tanzanite

I sold around 200 graded cards between three and four weeks ago. I was getting a steady stream of payments in my mailbox everyday. Except on Friday, August 25th, I received absolutely no mail except one of my neighbor's pieces of mail. I did not think much of it.

Today, I finally got a chance to catch up, after getting school started with my students, and deleted items from my "sold" section on ebay for which I received payments and shipped items. When I finished, I had nine buyers from whom I had not received payments from yet, lmayer being one of them. I have always had prompt business from Larry, whether buying from or selling to him. So, I started getting worried about that day I received no mail at all. I sent courtesy payment reminders to the nine. Two, including Larry, responded telling me they mailed a check around August 22, which would have gotten to me around that August 25th date. Two others responded, but told me they sent theirs out late and I should expect them soon. I'm waiting to hear from the other five buyers. Between the nine, the items totaled around $500.

In Larry's email, it sounded like he was going to send me another check, where I told him I'll incur the cost of the second $0.39 stamp; I know it's not much, but it's something. I told him I'd rip up the other check if I do finally get it. I'm waiting for his response.

My question is how should I handle it if the other buyers do not want to send another check? Hopefully they sent a check and not a money order. I would not blame them if they don't, but I don't want to get stuck with the final value fees for items I never received payment for either. If it comes down to it, can I ask for a refund on the final value fees and not have that reflect negatively on the buyer as I have no doubt they most likely sent payment? I'm hoping my 3100 positive transactions with a 100% 948 rating may make them feel comfortable enough to send another check and trust me to rip the other one up if it arrives. What, if in fact, they sent a money order? I have never had this happen. Let me know what you think.
Kelly

earlycalguy

all those transactions and never had to get your listing or sellings fees back, that's a good streak. if you don't get paid you can get your selling fees back and relist the items at no charge. to get your fees back you'd either have to file a non paying bidder notice or you and the buyer would both agree to not complete the transaction.

if they sent a money order they can put stop payment on a money order. never done it myself but i hear you can.

keep an eye on your neighbor and see if he starts wearing any new clothes or gets out of town for a long weekend.

baseballfanatic

I would ask your nieghbors if they received any of your mail. Might be kind of late, but its worth a try. They could have some of your mail sitting on top of their refrigerator from the same day...........

storm888

I would chat with the neighbor, b4 I spooked
all of the customers.

storm

Wizardsguildcards

It is the buyers responsiblity to get the payment to you if they mail it just as it is yours to get the item to them. If you do not get payment file the UID and move on.

MuckyMutt

You should also talk to the post office. There might have been a "substitute" mail carrier and he either made some mistakes, or he could have possibly stolen some mail. It's happened before and the post office will investigate such complaints.

Wizardsguildcards

Chances are the ones you have not heard from never sent Payment and have no intention of doing so.

tanzanite

Thanks for the feedback. I did contact most of my neighbors before emailing the buyers. A buyer contacted me about his item before I could talk to all of my neighbors, but I wanted to respond to that buyer quickly.

As for filing an unpaid item claim, I'm apprehensive because the buyer will get a strike which I don't think they should get because the post office screwed up. If we both agree not to complete the transaction, can I still get my final value fees?

I do know for a fact there was a substitute mail carrier that day. I'll give it another couple of days before going to the post office to file a report as I just emailed the buyers yesterday and I've heard from six of the nine so far. The three who said they sent payment around Aug. 22nd told me their checks have not been cashed according to their bank.

Thanks again for the input.

earlycalguy

If we both agree not to complete the transaction, can I still get my final value fees?

as long as the other party agrees to this then you get your fees back and they don't get a strike. if they dont agree to it then you don't get your fees back - they don't get a strike either.

WinPitcher

I would just email the buyers and ask for a new payment.

tell them that upon arrival of payment you will send cards out asap.

they need not know your business. be professional about it and if they email you that they indeed did send payment explain that you have not received it and for them to resend.

Steve